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Accelerating the Learning of All Students


File number :
CS-APE-17e

Bibliographic reference :
Finnan C., & Swanson J.D. (2000). Accelerating the Learning of all Students, Cultivating Culture Change in Schools, Classrooms and Individuals. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

Abstract :

Accelerated Learning
Accelerated learning includes a range of learning experiences that stimulate and challenge students. For a long while aimed at the most gifted students, this type of learning was proposed as a way to mitigate academic failure among students with difficulties. Accelerated learning is designed to give a sense of responsibility to students for their own achievement (they do not move on to the next academic level if they do not meet achievement criteria) as well as administrators and teachers (who must find ways to enhance students’ academic achievement so that more can graduate). To implement this new approach, the school and class culture has to be changed, since for centuries, the standard approach has been to help students acquire differentiated skills in order to fulfill specific economic needs in society.

Description of Chapters
The book describes meaningful forms in which accelerated learning can take place in schools and involve all players, from school administrators to students. Each chapter begins with an example used to back up the argument it presents. After describing the social and historical context from which the term “accelerated learning” emerged, the authors discuss how the concept can be applied to gifted as well as low achieving students. They then go on to show that this type of learning is tied to a complete change of school and classroom culture and discuss culture components that can help or hinder accelerated learning. They also stress the responsibility of individuals in accepting and encouraging these new teaching methods.

For more details on accelerated schools, see abstract CS-APE-15 and this Website: http://www.acceleratedschools.net/.



Key Words :
Educational Reform, School Culture, Classroom Culture, Educational Change, Empowerment, Accelerated Schools, Accelerated Learning

Monitored Countries :
United States